I’ve been spending time pouring through and seeing when I can find that would be relevant to the population that we work with. I work in an FOL building, so I have a lot of rather than have dementia. I have a few post stroke. I definitely have a lot of Parkinson’s disease residents. I’m looking for courses that are specifically related to working with the elderly, swallowing related and definitely cognition related.
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Jimmy McKay, PT, DPT: Welcome to FOXcast SLP. I’m your host Jimmy McKay and we’re talking about conferences the big dance for the speech-language pathologist this year is ASHA’s conference in Boston Massachusetts. And we bring in FOX colleague Laura Conte to the program. Laura, welcome to the show.
Laura Conte MS, CCC-SLP: Hi, how are you?
Jimmy: I’m doing well. And we bring you in because, well you’re going to be a first timer a newbie.
Laura: Yes yes. So this is going to be my first time attending that ASHA conference and I’m really excited that three very jampacked days and I can’t wait to see what they have for us.
Jimmy: Good, So I want to bookend your conference experience your very first conference experience. And we wanted to talk to you before and get kind of your strategy of how you’re going to go into it. What things that you’re focusing on. And then I want you to go through the conference. Then I want to talk to you after and see how that actually went. Did your plan actually come to fruition or what things happened over time?
Laura: I know well we’ll see how all the spreadsheet helped me get through those three days and see what I actually end up attending with all of that time.
Jimmy: Perfect. All right. So things that you’re thinking about before heading out to Ash what are they. What’s the first thing that you’re doing to prepare?
Laura: Well so first things first they sent out this big pamphlet with all the courses in it. And they also have it available online. So in my downtime I’ve been spending time poring through and seeing what I can find that would be relevant to the populations that we work with. I work in an FOL building and so I have a lot of residents that have dementia, a few who are post stro. I definitely have a lot of Parkinson’s disease residents. So I’m looking for courses that are specifically related to working with the elderly, swallowing related and definitely cognition related.
Jimmy: Good. So you’re maintaining focus on the things that will help you, we call them Monday morning applicable things that you can put into practice as soon as you come back from the conference right?
Laura: Definitely I want to find the resources new ideas new research we’re looking for more evidence based practice ideas. This is such a dynamic population and it’s only growing so whatever we have on hand is very important to help our clients reach their full potential.
Jimmy: Making a plan before you go there some people just show up and just kind of wing it. Then there are other people like yourself would you make a plan. So I like that going over the course catalog well in advance to see what you definitely want to hit so you can get some great takeaways. Where do we go next?
Laura: After I win my preselections I am a very wonderfully type-A speech therapist which many of my colleagues may also fall in that category. I can’t speak for all of them. So of course putting it into an Excel spreadsheet. I have kind of a go list after that I’m also just trying to see where I can meet up with other clinicians that might practice in a similar type of population and also try to meet up with other classmates and people that I’ve worked with in the past. This is a kind of our homecoming almost to all get together. So I’m hoping to run into people who I went to graduate school, undergraduate and who worked in previous facilities with me.
Jimmy: Yeah you’re trying to do two things it’s work life balance in its purest form at a conference like this. So yes we highlight it is three full days opportunities to earn up to 26 hours. But is there actually time to breathe? That’s Where we bring in self care we’ve done an episode on this program before on self care. I would suggest that schedule in some downtime and you’re already looking forward to that with trying to meet up with former classmates and co-workers while at the conference so that’s a great idea to do.
Laura: I mean I’m very thankful that I have already exceeded my CEU’s for this year. I’ve taken a few bigger courses. Of course I want to make the most of my time and get as many credits as I can. But I also agree I definitely want to have time to walk the exhibit hall definitely going to need to find time to eat. Hopefully there’s time for that. And then of course to try to meet up and network with other clinicians.
Jimmy: I’ll say when you’re making your plan one suggestion that I was taught was pick something that’s actually out of your comfort zone. You know a lot of times the great presentations that we go to are the ones that we want to learn more about maybe something we’re already comfortable with. Also at least do one that is something you would never typically pick. And you’ve never actually dove deeper in and make it a point to do at least three days. You’re one of those things.
Laura: Oh that’s a great idea. I think I tend to struggle with or don’t have a strong clinical background when it comes to voice clients so perhaps I’ll try to find one that maybe pushed me out of my comfort zone so I can maybe be a bit more well-rounded when it comes to those kind of clients.
Jimmy: Put that on your spreadsheet I know you’re type-A.
Laura: I’m gonna I’m going to type it in.
Jimmy: Where do we go next this is legitimate rubber meets the road logistics.
Laura: Yeah. So I am trying to figure out what I’m supposed to wear, what kind of shoes that will be helpful. Do I need to bring a notebook, a laptop a water bottle? How many snacks should I bring? Trying to make sure I don’t bring a suitcase around with me because I’ve heard there’s a lot of freebies and usually there’s a big gift bag or tote bags that they hand out from some of the big presenters and things like that. I definitely don’t want to be a bag lady but I am definitely one of those, “I want to bring everything and have it at hand.” So try to kind of figure out how I can pair down and how I best wanted take notes. ASHA has put together an app for the conference. And so apparently you can take some notes in there but I’m sure I’ll be bringing along my trusty laptop. I think that’ll end up being a good resource and certainly can take a little bit faster notes and download the course materials on my laptop where I can save them for future reference.
Jimmy: Love that. Yeah this is one where since I’ve been to a couple of conferences I would suggest don’t forget what got you there. In terms of make sure you bring what you’re comfortable with because this is your conference as much as it is that your profession’s conference whatever you’re comfortable with the example of a notebook versus a laptop versus an app. Don’t try to change just for the the situation go with what you’re comfortable with.
Laura: Oh that’s a great idea.
Jimmy: One more thing for the list that we wanted to highlight too for the audience a phone charger. You’re typically on that thing a lot. Make sure you have one handy right.
Laura: Yeah. And my husband that he has an external charger with an extra battery if I think I’m going to be trying to bring all that along with me. I have a feeling with all those courses and trying to come connect with everyone across this big conference. I’m sure my phone’s going to die.
Jimmy: And as much as those things might cost or take up space they are worth every penny and every ounce those external chargers.
Laura: Maybe I’ll put on the Amazon list.
Jimmy: Yeah right. So what’s next. Never you decided what to wear and what to bring with you. What are you going to do next on your list?
Laura: Well we’re going to have to figure out where to eat.
Jimmy: It’s always important.
Laura: So of course here in Boston we know that there’s all sorts of restaurants and things like that. We’ll use Yelp or another app to try to find things that are close to the convention center. There’s supposed to be 16,000 clinicians descending upon this area in Boston. I’m sure there’s going to be long lines. Things like that. So hopefully we can find a hole in the wall to refresh get something to eat and then get back to all the courses.
Jimmy: Yeah you mentioned the proximity of the conference and that’s really smart of you because as much as you do want to do the sightseeing afterwards, during the day that’s just not going to be possible so your lunch break. You’re going to want to stay close. But afterwards the nightlife is when you can jump in an uber and use that Yelp app like you mentioned and do something do something touristy right. Hit Faneuil Hall and make sure you do the Boston things get a picture out front of Cheers. And do those things but realize that you’re probably not going to be able to do them during the day. But definitely want to do those at night.
Laura: Oh that’s a great idea. Yeah I definitely want to take advantage of being out. I have two little ones and we do not get to do these things that often anymore. So taking a little time to go out and have like a longer dinner or walk around would be a really nice treat especially after a long day of classes and brrain drain I’m sure.
Jimmy: Yeah this much is sitting as you think you might be doing there’s a lot of walking around a lot of thinking and when when you’re done for the day you’re burnt. So make sure for some time for some self care at the end as well.
Laura: Yes we will be heading back to the hotel and then we’ll all probably tuck in a relatively early if we’ve had such a long day. I mean make the courses go from eight to seven and two with a longer days.
Jimmy: Until peer pressure comes in to go out and have a couple of drinks. I’m just letting you know that will happen. All right. Last point what you wanted to bring up was talking about that app that you had mentioned from ASHA. A great resource but want to make sure people know about that.
Laura: Yes so ASHA has a planner app specifically for the conference and some of the features that are on there. You can actually find your friends and see what they have prioritized for their courses. So perhaps you can try to meet up with each other. You can also look at the course materials check the times. There’s actually a map built right in. And because it’s across three different buildings so it is great that they’ve kind of invested the time and the resources into it to try to help us all say on the same page. There’s over 2,500 courses offered this a great way to have it right on hand.
Jimmy: Yeah maps and schedules. Those things are big you have that in your pocket. That’s a big big help plus I’ve been at conferences before where the room changes because of how many people are attending. You don’t want to walk all the way to building three when you realize that the course was just change to building one. You can double check on that before you leave of course to go to your next one.
Laura: I hope that’s a great idea. Yeah I’m sure every morning they said that they’re going to be putting out the update list. Hopefully none of the ones I’m really looking forward to are canceled but we’ll see.
Jimmy: Laura every episode that we record. We ask our guest there FOXtale are you ready for that?
Laura: Well sure.
Jimmy: Why did you decide to work with older adults?
Laura: So I went to into speech pathology originally because my younger brother worked with a speech therapist and he was very involved in our family came to the home and you know it was a really positive experience. However as soon as I started my coursework and learned about working with older adults, residents who had strokes certainly all the complications I can come along with dysphagia. I was sold. I think of myself generally as an old soul so I have always loved to hear the different stories and upbringing of the older generation. And so being able to help them regain their skills and be participants in their daily life has been such a blessing.
It’s great. I love that. All right well we’re wishing you the best as you head out towards your first conference going to be a little overwhelming at first but the fact that you actually have a plan and are ready to put it into action is going to put you a couple of steps ahead of everybody else. So we’re talking to you now before you head to Boston and I definitely want to hear from you on the show afterwards to see what went right what you change and what you do.
Laura: Oh thank you. I cannot wait to go. I look forward to catching up after.
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